With the advent of technology, security threats to the network come hand in hand. Numerous IT companies around the globe spend hefty amounts on their data and network security. In addition, to protect organizations from cybersecurity threats, operational security measures are adopted.
OPSEC is a risk management process that ensures information and networking security and prevents intruders from reaching sensitive information. The optimal OPSEC strategy includes analyzing behaviors, monitoring social media, and implementing security best practices. It is one of the most popular security strategies used by military and private IT companies. After observing the success of OPSEC in the private sector, it is a standard security measure in business operations.
What are the 5 steps in the Operational Security Process?
The operational security process is a well-structured strategy that helps organizations to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities and take timely actions against them. It is most effective when integrated into an organization's initial planning and regular monitoring practices. Let's learn what the five steps involved in the OPSEC process are.
Determining essential information
The first step is to identify the critical information in your company that you need to protect. It can be financial statements, confidential customer information, product research, a company’s whereabouts, intellectual property, etc. To mitigate bypasses, you should take ample time to figure out what needs top-level security in your organization.
Analyzing threats
When you have put together all the information that needs to be protected in a list, it is time to analyze the potential threats. There are a plethora of adversaries that have malicious intent to watch out for.
Analyzing vulnerabilities
Organizations should analyze potential vulnerable spots, intruders can consider opportunities and pry on them. Identifying possible loopholes or weaknesses that attackers might exploit involves assessing processes and technology solutions that protect data. A lack of network or mobile security can be an open invitation to attackers. Identifying and analyzing the vulnerabilities before can help protect them better.
Risk profiling
It is a process of examining the level and nature of threats that can harm the organization. Analyzing vulnerabilities tells companies what can be harmed and needs to be protected, but risk profiling helps determine a breach's threat or risk level. The higher severity of the risk, the more there is a need to implement a mitigation strategy.
Preventive measures to mitigate risk
The final step in the OPSEC strategy is to devise a plan to mitigate security threats. Updating hardware, creating revised policies regarding sensitive data, and training employees on sound practices all fall under this category. Mitigation bypasses attacks and eliminating threats can only be possible if we implement appropriate countermeasures.
In Conclusion
The operational security process is an end-to-end operation that every business should implement to safeguard its resources, information, and data. A mere breach in the network can lead to monetary and reputation loss. Identifying threats and vulnerabilities before they become a problem is a critical component of risk management.
